TIFTON – Two young men have been charged in connection with vehicle break-ins in the area of James Avenue.

Tifton police responded to reports of multiple vehicle break-ins in the area early on Feb. 26.

Upon arrival, officers searched the vicinity and found a male hiding behind a shed near the break-in locations, police said in a statement Tuesday. The suspect fled on foot but was swiftly apprehended by the officers without further incident. 

During the search, officers discovered a red Mini Cooper abandoned. Suspecting it was involved in the break-ins, police impounded it for further investigation.

Detectives learned that some of the break-ins had occurred outside the city limits, prompting the Tift County Sheriff’s Office to be involved. Several items were recovered from the victims’ vehicles and are currently being returned to their rightful owners, Tifton police said. 

As a result of the investigation, Landis Mikhail Mitchel, aged 18, of Quitman, was arrested and charged with eight counts of entering an automobile. Jon’marre David Cheatem, aged 18, of Enigma, was also charged with eight counts of entering an automobile. 

This case remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Gaskins, the lead detective in this investigation, at (229) 382-3132.